Xie Zhengtang

Biodata

Background

Xie Zhengtang was born to the Xie family’s inner-city lineage but later moved to Qingwu County’s outer city. He once studied relentlessly for the imperial examinations, repeatedly failed, and ultimately gained a hereditary salt license through an influential patron he met in the examination halls. He then built a commercial network of ships, carriages, salt warehouses, branch offices, clerks, merchants, guards, and escort leaders. 2

He is the father of Xie An, courtesy name Mingxi, the household’s legitimate eldest son and heir. His eldest daughter, Xie Yu, was believed dead for years; she was later revealed to have survived after being skinned alive and subjected to Returning Dragon Abbey’s Beast-Making Art. Zhengtang considers her fate the result of his own past mistake. 1 29 30

Appearance

Xie Zhengtang is a man over forty with graying temples. He is commonly seen in a gray long robe or the formal robes of a wealthy gentleman, often smoking a dry tobacco pipe. 2 6

• Carries himself with the reserved authority of a long-established merchant and household head.
• His expression can turn visibly pale and rigid when confronted with threats to his family. 29
• He is frequently depicted kneeling in devout worship at the White Goddess Shrine. 15 29 44

Personality

Xie Zhengtang is stern, guarded, and intensely paternal. He initially dismisses Xie An’s account of ghosts as drug-induced delusion, not because he disbelieves it, but because he thinks ordinary people cannot survive such knowledge and wants his son to live without fear. 2

His protectiveness is tempered by ruthless pragmatism. When the Grain-Collecting Ghost threatens Li Family Village, he authorizes Uncle Shui to seize evil bandits for Returning Dragon Abbey’s required living sacrifices. He is willing to rely on dangerous spiritual powers and expose long-hidden family secrets when Xie An is endangered. 2 29

As Xie An matures, Zhengtang gradually abandons his old view of him as an idle wastrel. He comes to trust his son’s judgment, grants him unrestricted household resources for cultivation, and recognizes him as someone capable of sharing the family’s burdens. 34

“Mingxi is my only son. For Mingxi’s sake, I can give up everything!” 29

Resources and Influence

• Salt trade — Holds a hereditary salt license and operates an extensive commercial network across Qingwu County. 2
• Xie Household — Commands a large, wealthy residence with more than forty guards, numerous servants, medicinal stores, and affiliated businesses. 3 39
• Yongsheng Martial Arts Hall — His patronage helped establish the hall’s standing among Qingwu County’s martial arts halls; Chen Mo states that its ranking was determined by his influence rather than martial strength alone. 17
• White Goddess Shrine — Maintains the Xie Clan shrine in Qingping Lane, where the household worships the entity publicly called the White Jade Goddess. The shrine conceals an evil god beneath a red cloth and is protected by the family’s secret spiritual inheritance. 15 43 44
• Supernatural countermeasures — Hires Returning Dragon Abbey Daoists, pays for rites, arranges sacrificial offerings, and deploys the shrine’s yellow lanterns to protect the Xie Residence. 5 29

Story Role

Li Family Village Crisis

After Xie An returns from Li Family Village, Xie Zhengtang publicly denies the existence of ghosts but privately identifies the threat as a likely Grain-Collecting Ghost born from resentment over oppressive taxation. He arranges a costly ritual by Daoist Li Yunfeng and seeks protection from the White Jade Goddess. 2 5

When Li Yunfeng’s ritual fails and the supernatural danger escalates, Zhengtang and Uncle Shui continue investigating the village in secret rather than involving the authorities. Their attempts reveal that even Returning Dragon Abbey’s Daoists can be killed and manipulated by the force haunting the village. 15 21

Return of Xie Yu

As Xie An becomes the target of dream-based attacks, Zhengtang accepts that the family must use its hidden trump card: Xie Yu. He reunites with his daughter after ten years, overcome by guilt over her suffering, yet supports her decision to protect and teach Xie An under the identity of Daoist Master Yusu. 29 30

Yin Cloth Doll Conspiracy

After Yusu discovers a Yin Cloth Doll hidden beneath Xie An’s bed, Zhengtang orders a full investigation into the attack on his household. He allows Xie An and Xie Yu to pursue Zhou Yun and the conspiracy behind the dolls, while personally backing their efforts. 33 35

Xie An’s composure and plan to expose Zhou Yun’s superior convince Zhengtang that his son has changed. He grants Xie An access to the household’s martial resources and entrusts him to Xie Yu’s guidance. 34

The White Goddess Shrine

Xie Zhengtang reveals the Xie Household’s secret path to the Spirit Preservation Method by bringing Xie An to the ancestral shrine. There, Xie An discovers that the being worshipped by the family as the White Jade Goddess is an evil god. Zhengtang nevertheless insists that Xie An show proper reverence and keep the shrine’s secrets from outsiders. 43 44

Relationships

• Xie An / Xie Mingxi — Legitimate eldest son and heir. Zhengtang conceals supernatural truths to protect him, later recognizes his maturity, and supports his cultivation and investigation work. 2 34 44
• Xie Yu / Daoist Master Yusu — Eldest daughter. Zhengtang carries profound guilt over her torture and separation, but accepts her role as Xie An’s secret mentor and protector. 29 30 35
• Uncle Shui — Sworn brother, trusted adviser, household guard captain, and collaborator in both business and supernatural affairs. 2 15 29
• Zhou Lan — Second wife or concubine and mother of Xie Xiaoyu. Their household is portrayed as affectionate rather than openly divided by status. 6
• Xie Xiaoyu — Young daughter. Zhengtang encourages family harmony and rejects rigid distinctions between her and Xie An during family meals. 6
• Returning Dragon Abbey — A powerful but dangerous spiritual institution Zhengtang relies on for exorcism rites, despite its demands for living sacrifices and its connection to Xie Yu’s past suffering. 2 5 30